I understand bends are more about the side to side. This is only a vertical bend. The special thing I notice about this exercise is that when I get about 1/2 way down, blood gets trapped from the glans to midshaft. This creates a point of mechanical leverage, resulting in a pretty intense lig stretch. This exercise pretty much accomplishes the same thing as a jelq, except it is straight down (helps base girth I hear) and open handed, so reps don't tire your hands.